Making their way through Eastern Europe (first Prague, followed by Turkey), the Song Company have now set their sights on one country that has made a particularly powerful mark upon Western culture – Italy. A Night In Siena will be an all-Italian extravaganza, and who better to help the ensemble celebrate than theorbo virtuoso Simone Vallerotonda, a rising star of Italy’s early music scene performing on theorbo, lute and Renaissance guitar.

Le Veglie di Siena (The Night Games of Siena) by Horatio Vecchi is one of the undiscovered gems of the early 17th century. Neither an opera nor a madrigal collection, this curious work represents the composer’s final artistic statement – a cornucopia of musical cameos, comic tricks and deeply touching moments of humanity. Composed as evening entertainment for the court of King Christian IV of Denmark, Vecchi’s work represents the various humours or human temperaments in a mix of serious and light-hearted madrigals.

Simone Vallerotonda began his musical studies on the modern guitar. However, his fascination with early musical periods saw him branch out and study the lute at the ‘Santa Cecilia’ in Rome. He later received his Master’s degree on the theorbo and Baroque guitar. Simone has performed as a soloist in prestigious concert halls and theatres across Europe, and at major festivals.